OpenAI Codex
OpenAI's coding agent for the terminal, IDE, and cloud.
OpenAI Codex vs Claude Code at a Glance
| Feature | OpenAI Codex | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | OpenAI's coding agent for the terminal, IDE, and cloud. | Anthropic's agentic coding tool. |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Free option | No free tier | No free tier |
| Our rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Current deal | Included with ChatGPT Plus | API Credits |
| Tags | Agentic, Coding, CLI, OpenAI | Agentic, Coding, Claude, Multi-file |
OpenAI Codex: Pros and Cons
- Included with ChatGPT Plus
- CLI, IDE and cloud tasks
- Runs tests and commands
- Works across large repos
- Parallel cloud tasks
- Usage limits on lower plans
- Heavy use needs a Pro plan
Claude Code: Pros and Cons
- Most capable model
- Multi-file edits
- Command execution
- Deep understanding
- Large context
- Requires API key
- Usage costs
Choose OpenAI Codex if
Choose OpenAI Codex if you already pay for ChatGPT and want a coding agent without a separate bill, or if you like handing off tasks to run in the cloud in parallel while you keep working. It also fits teams that want the same agent in the CLI, the IDE and the ChatGPT app.
Choose Claude Code if
Choose Claude Code if your team prefers Claude models, works mainly in the terminal, and does large refactors across big codebases. It is a strong fit when you want tight control over each command the agent runs and are comfortable with usage-based or Claude subscription billing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenAI Codex included with ChatGPT?
Yes. Codex is included with ChatGPT Plus, and the Pro tiers give much higher Codex usage for longer sessions. Lower plans have usage limits, so heavy daily users usually end up on a Pro plan. Check OpenAI's current plan page for the exact limits, since they have changed during 2026.
Can I use Codex and Claude Code on the same project?
Yes. Both work on a normal git repository, so many developers use one for planning or review and the other for implementation. Keep changes on separate branches and review each diff before merging, since two agents editing the same files at once will conflict.